Table with self-contained cover

ABSTRACT

A flat-tabletop-type of work surface can be enclosed with a tambour or rolltop-type of member, which slidably engages upwardly swingable sides or end members, the side edges of the tambour being resistant to being displaced laterally. When the table is in its open position, the tambour extends downward on a track between two legs of the table. When the table is in its closed position, the sides or end members are folded upwardly about the tabletop to a vertical position and the tambour is pulled up, around and over the top of the table, the sides having tracks which slidably engage the sides of the tambour.

a Feb. 29, 1972 United States Patent Sakow .312/297 X ...160/23l R.......l08/90 .248/206 R .m m mu k 5k 6 .m aw DmBD 0279 3666 9999 111162 2 [54] TABLE WITH SELF-CONTAINED COVER I [72] inventor: ToshihikoSakow, 3 Horizon Road, Fort Lee, NJ. 07024 Jan. 23, 1970 211 Appl.No.:5,249

Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Attorney-Howard C. Miskin [22] Filed;

ABSTRACT A flat-tabletop-type of work surface can be enclosed with a160/231 A tambour or rolltop-type of member, which slidably engagesupwardly swingable sides or end members, the side edges of the tambourbeing resistant to being displaced laterally. When the table is in itsopen position, the tambour extends downward on a track between two legsof the table. When the table is in its closed position, the sides or endmembers are [58] Field of Search ....................312/297, 237, 282;108/90; 160/201, 231

[56] References Cited folded upwardly about the tabletop to a verticalposition and UNITED STATES PATENTS the tambour is pulled up, around andover the top of the table,

the sides having tracks which slidably engage the sides of the 312/297 Xtarnbour. v....312/297 X .312/297 X 12 Claims,

e "m fen aw Kow ll OGH 60 022 999 HHH 677 454 320 475 248 l1 6 DrawingFigures Patented Feb. 29, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Patented Feb.29, 1972 4 Sheets-$119M 3 Patented Feb. 29, 1972 3 67 4 sheets shew 4TABLE WITH SELF-CONTAINED COVER This invention relates generally to atable for use as a support for a typewriter, a sewing machine, or thelike,and more particularly to a rolltop type of table which can functionboth as a work area having a relatively large flat surface, or a storagearea having a protective cover.

Presently, tables which are portable in natureand which are intendedforuse as supports for typewriters,sewing machines or the like are"generally formed of lightweight, vertically extending leg elementssecured to a relatively large flattop surface, the flattop surfacefunctioning both as a support forthe article of use, i.e., thetypewriter or the sewing machine, and

as a'work area.

sewingmachine, the work area of the table functions also as a supportfor the material that is being sewn together.

Therelativelylarge flat work surface of the table, which is so necessarywhile the table is being used, suddenly becomes awkward and possiblyundesirable when the table is not in use. Additionally, when the tableand the typewriter or sewing machine supported by the table is not inuse, a cover should be provided to 'both hidethe typewriter or sewingmachine from direct and obvious view, and to also help protect thetypewriter and sewing machine from air-laden dust and dirt. If possible,a rigid type of cover would be more desirable than a softplastic orwoven cloth cover sewn to shape, as the cloth cover will not provideprotection from heavy or hard articles accidentally dropped onto thecover.

It is an object of this invention to provide a support table for atypewriter or sewing machine which has a cover that is an integral partof the table to provide protection for the typewriter or sewing machinefrom dust, dirt or falling objects.

It is another object of this invention to provide a support tableforatypewriter or sewing machine having a roll type of cover and which formsa self-locking construction in its rolled up condition.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a support tablefor a typewriter or a sewing machine which is of open, lightweightdesign, and still forms a relatively rigid and sturdy structure.

' It is still another object of this invention to provide a supporttable for a typewriter or sewing machine having side work surfaces thatfold up out of the way to form side support members for a rolltop typeof cover.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a support table foratypewriter or a sewing machine which is economical to makeand reliableand sturdy when in use.

According to one of its features, the present invention makes possiblethe structure of a flat-tabletop type'of work surface which can beenclosed with a tambour or rolltop type of member which slidably engagesupwardly swingable sides or end members, the side edges of the tambouror rolltop type of member being resistant to being displaced laterallyand which lock the end members in their upward condition; In itsillustrative embodiment, the present invention makes use of a rigidtrack member positioned between the two rear legs of the table, andwhich extends upwardly above the top surface of the top of the table.When the tableis in its open position, the tambour extends substantiallythe full lengthof the rigid track to'forrr: a back panel which hidesfrom view the feet and legs of a user, such as a typist.

When the table isin its closed'position, the sides or end members arefolded upward to a vertical position and the tarnbour is-pulledup,'around and over the top of the table, the sides-having tracks whichare aligned with the rigid track member and are slidably engaged by theside ends of the tambour.

Thus there has been outlined rather broadly the more important featuresof the invention in order that the-detailed description thereof thatfollows maybe better understood, and in order that the presentcontributions to'the art may be better appreciated. There are, ofcourse, additional features of the invention that will be describedhereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appendedhereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of the other structures for carrying'out theseveralpurposesof the invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims beregarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not departfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

Specific embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description,and are shown in theaccompanying drawings,forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a table in its open condition, inaccordance with theprinciples of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a back perspective .view of the table of FIG. I when i in itsclosed condition;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of a portion of one form of the tambour;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary end view of a side edge of the tambour;

FIG. 4 is. a fragmentary view partially in section, of an end panelmember in slidable engagement with a tambour; and

FIGS is a rear perspective view of another embodiment showing a sewingmachine table in it open condition.

Similar reference characters refer to similar throughout the variousviews of the drawing.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a table, advantageouslyused with a typewriter, in its open condition, in accordance with theprinciples of this invention.

A flat relatively rigid center panel or member 10 which can be composedof a plastic material such as polypropylene or the like, or of wood ormetal, contains a tumed-down front edge 12, which provides structuralrigidity to the member 10. A pair of upwardly swingableend or side panelmembers 14, 16 are pivotally coupled to opposite side edges of member10; the end panel member 14 being coupled torigid member 16) along ahinge I8, and end panel member 16 being coupled to rigid member 10 alonga-hinge 20. In those instances where the-center panel 10 andendpanelmembers 14, I6 are composed of plastic, then hinges i8 and 20can also be composed of plastic, making essentially a unitary topsurface, which can be molded to shape.

Positioned at and embracing the back edge of center member-10 is a guideand brace member 22 having two arms 24, 26, at opposite ends. Arm 24projects inwardly from the back edge of the center member it) along anotch interposed between member 10 and the upwardly swingabie end panelmember l4; and arm 26 projects inwardly from the back edge ofcenter'member 10 along a notch interposed between the center member 10and the upwardly swingable end panel member-:16.

End-panel member 14 supports a recess 28 shaped to accommodate thearm 24of the guide and brace member 22, withthe edge 30 of recess 28overlapping the top. edge 32 of thearm 24, and the side surface 34 ofthe recess 28engaging the outward facing side of the arm24 when theswingable end panel member 14 is disposed to its upward or verticalposition. Magnetic locking means is provided within the side surface 34and the outward facing side of the arm 24 to releasably magneticallylock-end panel member: 14, when in its vertical position, to the guideand brace member 22.

In a similar manner, end panel member 16 supports a recess 36 shaped toaccommodate the arm 26 of the guide and brace member 22, pith the edge38 of the recess 36 overlapping the top edge 40 of the'arm26, and theside surface 42 of the recess 36 engaging the outward facing side of thearm 26'when the swingable end panel member 16 is disposed to its upwardor --vertical position. Magnetic locking means is provided parts norm::vvm

within the side surface42 and the outward facing side of the arm 26 toreleasably magnetically lock end panel member 16 when in its verticalposition, to guide and brace member 22.

The guide and brace member 22 supports a passageway 44 which passes fromthe top edge down through the bottom edge and extends across from arm 24to arm 26. A tambour 58 is positioned within and passes through thepassageway 44. The side ends of passageway 44 are formed in a manner toprovide a track or guideway for the side edges of tambour 58, as will bediscussed below. Additionally, end panel members 14 and 16 are shaped ina manner to provide tracks or guideways for the side edges of tambour58, the tracks or guideways in the end panel members being aligned withthe tracks or guideways at the ends of the passageway 44 to form acontinuous track or guideway when the end panel members are in theirvertical position, as shown in FIG. 2, and which is discussed below.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a back perspective view of thetypewriter table of FIG. 1 in its closed condition. The flat, relativelyrigid member 10, not seen, is coupled securelyalong its two side edgesto the base 46 of each of the two inverted U-shaped members having legs48, 50. The legs 48 function as the rear legs of the table, and the legs50 func tion as the front legs of the table. If desired, the very bottomends of the legs 48, 50 can be coupled to casters or rollers 51 topermit the table to be rolled from one position to another. A panel 52interposed between and embraced by the base 46 and the two legs 48, 50provides rigidity to the legs 48, 50.

A tambour guide 54, shaped to provide a track or guideway for the sideedges of tambour 58, is securely rigidly to the side surface of each ofthe rear legs 48 and is aligned with the track or guideway at the endsof passageway 44 to form a continuous track or guideway for the tambour.Positioned between the very bottom ends of the tambour guides 54 is atambour stop bar 56. Stop bar 56 functions both as a stop for thetambour when the table is in use and the tambour is in its fully openedcondition, and additionally provides rigidity to the rear legs 48.

FIG. 3 shows a view in perspective of a cutaway portion of oneembodiment of a tambour. The tambour 58, which can be composed ofplastic such as polypropylene or the like, consists of a plurality ofgenerally parallel sections, flexibly coupled to each other. Starting atany convenient part of the tambour, section 60 is flexibly coupled to anext adjacent section 62; section 62 is flexibly coupled to a nextadjacent section 64; section 64 is flexibly coupled to a next adjacentsection 66; section 66 is flexibly coupled to a next adjacent section68, and so on to the last section. Advantageously, tambour 58 is made ofplastic, such as polypropylene, and molded in one piece. Referringspecifically to section 62, a generally V- shaped cutout 70 is centrallypositioned along the top surface, and a rib member 72 projects outwardlyfrom the bottom surface. Rib member 72 extends across the width of thesection 62 terminating a short predetermined distance from each end ofthe section 62.. Each section is separated from its adjacent sections bya generally V-shaped-groove, which enables adjacent sections to bend orflex relative to each other. Thus, section 62 is separated from section60 by a groove 74 and section 62 is separated from section 64 by agroove 76. Each section of tambour 58 contains two locking tabs, one ateach end. Referring specifically to section 64, there is illustrated alocking tab 78 which extends or projects outwardly from the top surfaceof the tambour. The other end of the section 64 supports a similarlocking tab which also extends or projects outwardly from the topsurface of the tambour, and could extend upwardly or downwardly. Section66, positioned adjacent to section 64, supports a locking tab at eachend, which is similar to locking tab 78 of section 64, but which extendsor projects outwardly in the opposite direction, which as shown is fromthe bottom surface of the tambour. As mentioned previously, and asillustrated in FIG. 3A, the rib member 72 of each corresponding sectionterminates a predetermined distance from each end of the section. It isto be noted that the distance between the end of the rib member and theend of the tambour is greater than the thickness of the locking tab toprovide clearance for the tambour track.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated, partially in section, anend panel member in slidable engagement with tambour 58, showing thetracks or guideways for slidably receiving the side edges of tambour 58.The track of the end panel is illustrated with end panel 16 and has aninner tambour retainer and top fold leaf 80 positioned in parallelrelationship with and spaced from a bottom fold leaf 82. Advantageously,top fold leaf 80 may be made of plastic joined to center panel 10, andbottom fold leaf 82 may be made of various materials and painted to adesired color. Leaves 80, and 82 may be joined in spaced arrangement byvarious means, such as screws, glue or the like. A stepped projection 84extends around the outer perimeter area of the top fold leaf 80 tomaintain the top fold leaf 80 spaced from the bottom fold leaf 82.Positioned around the outer perimeter of the end panel 16 and securedrigidly to the top fold leaf 80 and the bottom fold leaf 82 is an outertambour retainer track or guideway member 86. The member 86 supportsthree spaced-apart projections 88, 90 and 92. Projection 92 engages andis secured rigidly to the bottom fold leaf 82. Projection 90 engages ashoulder in the stepped projection 84 and, additionally, func tions as astop to limit the lateral displacement of the tambour. As seen best inFIG. 3A, projection 88 is spaced from and aligned with a projection 94in the top fold leaf 80 to form a passageway for sections of thetambour, projections 88 and 94 being of a width less than the distancebetween the ends of tabs 72 and tabs 78. The volume defined byprojections 88, 94 and 90 and member 86 and top leaf 80 form a track orguideway for the locking tabs 78 of the tambour. When end panel 16 is inthe vertical position an end of its corresponding track or guidewayaligns with a side end of passageway 44 to provide a continuous track orguideway for the side edges or locking tabs 78 of the tambour.

In a similar manner end panel 14 has a similar track for its matingtambour edge.

To support end panels 14 and 16 when in their open position, a pair ofarms 95 are slidably mounted beneath center panel 10. Arms 95 can besupported in any convenient manner, such as by tracks of a bottom panel.The outward movement of arms 95 is preferably limited, such as by stopsmounted on the sides of the arms, adjacent the rear.

To aid in handling tambour 58, a handle 97 is provided on the forwardedge of tambour 58. Handle 97 has a flared surface terminating in a lip98 which is received within a slot 99 along the forward edge of centerpanel 10 for locking the tambour in its closed position. Lip 98 issprung past slot 99 to return tambour 58 to its open position. Otherlatching constructions may be used.

In the explanation of the operation of this invention, it shall beassumed that the table is in its open condition as illustrated inFIG. 1. In this condition, end panel members 14 and 16 are positionedhorizontally, being supported by extendable arms 95, which are slid outfrom beneath the member 10, and tambour 58 is stored in a verticalposition between the tambour guide 54 to form a modesty panel. To closethe table, the end panel members 14, 16 are folded upward and areinitially retained in position by the magnetic hold means within sidesurfaces 34 and 42, and the extendable arms 95 are urged into theirretracted position. Tambour 58, the front end of which is positioned atthe top edge of the guide and brace member 22 is now pulled up, aroundand down, the locking tabs 78 of the tambour being engaged by the trackor guideway formed by the projections 88, 94 and 90 in members 88 alongthe edges of the end panel members 14, 16, as illustrated in FIG. 4.Tabs 78 on the tambour prevent end panels 14 and 16 from return ing totheir downward position, and they are locked in their upward positionforming a covered portion over panel 10.

It is to be noted that a unitary relatively rigid structure is formedwhen the tambour locking tabs 78 are in engagement with the tracks orguideways in the guide and brace member 22 and the end panel members l4,16. The guide and brace Int/M: Ivmn member 22 is affixed to center panel10, and thus provides a rigid stop and support for the end panel members14, 16; and the locking tabs of the tambour, when in engagement with thetracks or guideways in the edge of the end panel members 14,

16, so as to prevent the end panel members 14 and 16 from.

swinging, tilting or attempting to swing downwardly about their hinges18 and 20.

Since the tracks in end members 14 and 16 are ad-' vantageously madewider than the width of tabs 78 to allow easy sliding, the end members14 and 16 in their raised position would sag or tilt without bracemember 22 or an equivalent rigid vertically extending member.

Thetypewriter table illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 show a table having aslight projection along its back edge, the projection being the guideand brace member 22, which extends up beyond the top surface of thetable to'provide rigidity to the structure. In some instances it isdesirable to have a flat surface such as would be the case with a sewingmachine table. In this instance, the guide and brace member 22 would berepositioned such that its top surface would flush with the top surfaceof the table.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a back perspective view of asewing machine table in its open condition. In the sewing machine table,it is to be noted that the guide and brace member 22 does not functionas a stop against which the end panel member 102, 104 can abut.Additionally, in the sewing machine table, the track or guideway 105 forthe tambour edges can be positioned to terminate at the very front edgeof the table or at some point back from the very front edge of thetable, as illustrated.

To provide the stability from tilting of the end members 102 and 104, aportion 109 of center member 10, adjacent the front edge is pivotedupwardly along a hinge line 107.

In use, side panels 102 and 104 are pivoted upwardly and the tambouredges are received within their corresponding tracks 105 for locking theside panels in their upward position. Tambour 58 is slid around andportion 100 is pivoted upwardly and removably engages the forward end oftambour 58.

In some instances it may be desired to utilize a track and guideway andtambour slidable locking arrangement that differs from that illustratedin FIGS. 3 and 4. Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated another formof slidably engageable tambour and track arrangements. In thisembodiment, the track or guideway can be a U-shaped cutout that extendsaround the edge of the end panels 102, 104. However, positioned at eachcomer of the end panels and within each panel is a freely rotatablepinwheel 106 and 108, in a sprocket. The tambour is fabricated tosupport cutouts 110 uniformly spread and 'positioned along each sideedge 11 to be engaged by the pins or sprockets of the wheel. In thisembodiment, it is to be noted that the tambour does not contain lockingtabs. in operation, as the tambour is moved along the tracks, thecutouts 110 in the tambour are engaged by the pins or sprockets on therotatable wheels 106 and 108 in each of the end panels, which preventsthe end panels from being swingingly displaced to their horizontalposition.

It is seen that the interactions of the tabs 73 on the tambour and theguides in side panels 14 and 16 prevent the panels from separating fromcenter panel while the side panels are in their raised position.Similarly, the apertures 110 and sprockets on the sprocket wheelsautomatically lock the side panels in their upward position. No separatelatching equipment is necessary. While the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4was indicated as being a typewriter table, it could be any kind oftable. Also, while tabs 78 were shown extending from opposite surfacesof tambour 53, they could extend from only one surface.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in the light of the above tracking. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described herein.

What I claim is:

1. A table comprising a center panel having a front edge, a back edgeand two side edges, a first member swingable coupled to one side of saidcenter panel, a second member swingably coupled to the other side edgeof said center panel, a guide member coupled to the back edge ofsaidcenter panel, a passageway having two'sides coupled to the guide member,a first track coupled to a side edge portion of the first member, oneend of which is in alignment with one side of the passageway whenthefirst member is positioned vertically, a second track coupled to asideedge portion of the second member, one end of which is in alignment withthe other side of the passageway when the second member is positionedvertically, a tambour coupled to be in slidable engagement with thepassageway of said guide member and said first and second tracks of saidfirst and second members, and means coupled to the tambour and slidablyengageable with the first and second tracks along a first direction andnonreleasably retaining-the first and second tracks along a seconddirection, transverse to the first direction for locking said first andsecond members in the vertical position.

2 A table comprising a center panel having a front edge, back edge andtwo side edges, first and second end members pivotably coupled toopposite side edges respectively of the center panel, said first andsecond members pivoting at least from a position substantially coplanarwith the upper surface of said center panel to a generally verticalposition, a passageway having two sides coupled to the back edge of thecenter panel, a first track coupled to a side edge portion of the firstmember, a second track coupled to a side edge portion of the secondmember, each of said first and second tracks communicating with acorresponding side of said passageway when said members are in theirvertical position, a tambour coupled to be in slidable engagement withthe passageway and said first and second tracks of said first and secondmembers, and means on said tambour cooperating with said first andsecond end members for retaining said members in their vertical positionwhile in engagement with said first and second tracks.

3. A table as in claim 2 wherein said end member retaining meansincludes a plurality of tabs projecting outward from one longitudinalsurface along the edge portion of said tambour.

4. A table as in claim 3 wherein said first and second tracks have aprojection defining a slot for allowing movement of said tambour in onedirection and engaging said tabs for preventing said corresponding endmember pivoting from said vertical position.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said guide member extends beyondthe top surface of said center panel.

6. The combination of claim 2, comprising a third track aligned with andpositioned below a side of the passageway coupled to the guide member,and a fourth track aligned with and positioned below another side of thepassageway coupled to the guide member wherein third and fourth tracksreceived the tambour as the tambour is slidably disengaged from thefirst and second tracks of said first and second members.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein said means coupled to the tambourcomprises tabs projecting outward from one longitudinal surface alongthe edge portion of said tambour.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means coupled to the tambourcomprise tabs projecting outward from the top and bottom edge portion ofsaid tambour.

9. The combination of claim 7, including means to releasably lock saidfirst and second members to said passageway by magnetic catches.

10. The combination of claim 9, including means coupled to said firstand second track to restrict the lateral displacement of said tambour.

11. The combination of claim 1, wherein said means comprises cutoutspositioned along the edge portions of said tambour coupled to engageprojections movable relative to and positioned within said tracks. I

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein said projections are coupled tothe periphery of a rotatably retained wheel.

- A A a

1. A table comprising a center panel having a front edge, a back edgeand two side edges, a first member swingable coupled to one side of saidcenter panel, a second member swingably coupled to the other side edgeof said center panel, a guide member coupled to the back edge of saidcenter panel, a passageway having two sides coupled to the guide member,a first track coupled to a side edge portion of the first member, oneend of which is in alignment with one side of the passageway when thefirst member is positioned vertically, a second track coupled to a sideedge portion of the second member, one end of which is in alignment withthe other side of the passageway when the second member is positionedvertically, a tambour coupled to be in slidable engagement with thepassageway of said guide member and said first and second tracks of saidfirst and second members, and means coupled to the tambour and slidablyengageable with the first and second tracks along a first direction andnonreleasably retaining the first and second tracks along a seconddirection, transverse to the first direction for locking said first andsecond members in the vertical position. CM,2Le comprising a centerpanel having a front edge, back edge and two side edges, first andsecond end members pivotably coupled to opposite side edges respectivelyof the center panel, said first and second members pivoting at leastfrom a position substantially coplanar with the upper surface of saidcenter panel to a generally vertical position, a passageway having twosides coupled to the back edge of the center panel, a first trackcoupled to a side edge portion of the first member, a second trackcoupled to a side edge portion of the second member, each of said firstand seCond tracks communicating with a corresponding side of saidpassageway when said members are in their vertical position, a tambourcoupled to be in slidable engagement with the passageway and said firstand second tracks of said first and second members, and means on saidtambour cooperating with said first and second end members for retainingsaid members in their vertical position while in engagement with saidfirst and second tracks.
 3. A table as in claim 2 wherein said endmember retaining means includes a plurality of tabs projecting outwardfrom one longitudinal surface along the edge portion of said tambour. 4.A table as in claim 3 wherein said first and second tracks have aprojection defining a slot for allowing movement of said tambour in onedirection and engaging said tabs for preventing said corresponding endmember pivoting from said vertical position.
 5. The combination of claim1, wherein said guide member extends beyond the top surface of saidcenter panel.
 6. The combination of claim 2, comprising a third trackaligned with and positioned below a side of the passageway coupled tothe guide member, and a fourth track aligned with and positioned belowanother side of the passageway coupled to the guide member wherein thirdand fourth tracks received the tambour as the tambour is slidablydisengaged from the first and second tracks of said first and secondmembers.
 7. The combination of claim 1, wherein said means coupled tothe tambour comprises tabs projecting outward from one longitudinalsurface along the edge portion of said tambour.
 8. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein said means coupled to the tambour comprise tabsprojecting outward from the top and bottom edge portion of said tambour.9. The combination of claim 7, including means to releasably lock saidfirst and second members to said passageway by magnetic catches.
 10. Thecombination of claim 9, including means coupled to said first and secondtrack to restrict the lateral displacement of said tambour.
 11. Thecombination of claim 1, wherein said means comprises cutouts positionedalong the edge portions of said tambour coupled to engage projectionsmovable relative to and positioned within said tracks.
 12. Thecombination of claim 11, wherein said projections are coupled to theperiphery of a rotatably retained wheel.